Speakers

Jaci Russo

CEO

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Jaci Russo is the CEO of RUSSO with more than 20 years of healthcare and nonprofit brand strategy experience on a national level. Her expertise is founded in strategic planning, brand management, national product launches, media management for local, regional and national clients, and of course nonprofit healthcare branding.

Jaci began her career at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Los Angeles, California. While there, she worked as a Junior Talent Agent for clients such as Helen Hunt, David Letterman, Blair Underwood, Bonnie Hunt, Janine Turner, Mimi Rogers, Jennifer Grey, and Gwyneth Paltrow – developing projects, negotiating contracts, and creating opportunities. Before returning to her hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, Jaci took on the role of Executive Assistant to Chairman and CEO, Barry Diller. As Diller’s right-hand, she coordinated the strategic planning, mergers/acquisitions and business development of six different Diller-owned companies including Home Shopping Network, Ticketmaster, USA Network, Lycos, CitySearch, and Savoy Pictures.

After returning to her home state of Louisiana and serving as Marketing Director for several regional agencies, Jaci co-founded RUSSO. Only 30 years old at the time, she was an industry professional to watch.

As an author, Jaci has published numerous eBooks on branding and is the primary contributor to RUSSO’s, Razor Branding Blog. In addition, Jaci is a sought after speaker and has served as a featured writer for Ad Age’s Small Agency Diary and Talent Zoo.

Jaci has served on the boards of Downtown Lafayette Unlimited, the705, Public Relations Association of Louisiana (Acadiana Chapter), Acadiana Ad Fed, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Our Lady of Fatima School. Jaci has worked with the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Lafayette program as well as Council for a Better Louisiana’s regional program, Leadership Louisiana.